Pool Cover Cable-Loc Edge Barrier for Complex Obstacles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pool cover systems struggle to securely attach to complex poolside raised obstacles like rock walls, leaving gaps that pose hazards and requiring labor-intensive installation and periodic adjustments.

Innovation Solution

The Cable-Loc system features a flexible safety barrier edge made of low linear density polyethylene with slits, combined with a pre-stretched stainless steel cable and wall anchors, allowing for easy installation and tightening around complex contours, ensuring a secure attachment to poolside obstacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional anchors with spring tension members are used to attach pool covers to the deck, then the attachment is secure to regular decks, but the system cannot attach to complex poolside raised obstacles like rock walls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to attach to different obstacle typesVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible barrier edge material that can conform to complex obstacle contours. This flexible material is attached to the pool cover and extends down to attach to various obstacle surfaces, allowing the system to adapt to different obstacle types while maintaining secure attachment through the flexible connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If periodic attachment to the obstacle wall is used, then attachment is possible, but gaps of varying sizes are left between the pool cover edge and the obstacle wall creating hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment flexibilityVSAvoidgaps creating falling hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible barrier edge material continuously spans from the pool cover to the obstacle wall, eliminating gaps. The material's flexibility allows it to conform to the obstacle surface while maintaining continuous contact, preventing objects or persons from falling through periodic attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier edge is divided into multiple attachment points along its length, with each segment independently attachable to the obstacle. This segmentation allows the continuous barrier to adapt to varying obstacle contours while maintaining gap-free coverage through multiple secured positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a flexible sloping continuous edge is used to close the gap between pool cover and wall, then safety is improved, but installation becomes more complex and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap elimination for safetyVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier edge assembly integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides the continuous safety barrier, contains built-in attachment mechanisms for both the pool cover and obstacle wall, and includes adjustment capabilities. This multi-functionality simplifies installation by eliminating the need for separate components and complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the pool cover attachment to the obstacle wall is fixed during installation, then initial positioning is achieved, but the ability to tighten and adjust after installation is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost-installation adjustment capabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing the barrier edge to be repositioned and tightened after initial installation. The system transitions from a static fixed attachment to a dynamic adjustable one, enabling post-installation tightening while maintaining overall structural simplicity through standardized adjustment components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8151381B2Cable-attached safe pool cover edge barrier

Publication Date: 2012.04.10 POOL COVER CORP

AI summary

A flexible safety barrier edge material contacts a wall of a poolside raised obstacle with a hollow loop crossection. The loop portion is slit at multiple intervals to permit the individual sections to conform to relatively sharp inside or outside corner contours of the obstruction. A continuous stainless steel cable is guided around the respective portion of the pool cover periphery in the vicinity of the obstruction, by passing it through fabric webbing loops sewn at the edge of the pool cover. This cable is attached to a top surface of the pool wall deck using pool anchors with split loops having a cable receiving slot. The cable is looped thru said turnbuckle and secured via cable clamps and then tightened by the use of turnbuckles at either end of the cable.